What is the Political Legacy of Marielle Franco?
After she was assassinated in 2018, Black women across Brazil felt inspired to run for political office. Many of them were elected. In 2020, that number has only grown.
I am happy to reveal a new series of dialogues between Black women in Brazil and the United States - Sisters Speak! Our first Sisters Speak event will address the political legacy of Marielle Franco, a queer, Rio de Janeiro councilwoman who was assassinated in 2018. She fought for the rights of Black people, women, LGBTQ, and the poor.
Sisters Speak: Dialogues between Black Women in Brazil & the United States
Sisters Speak is a digital series of panel discussions that aim to build bridges between Black women in Brazil and the United States and overcome the physical and linguistic barriers that have long separated us. Over the next year, the series will bring together women working in various fields—including politics, health, economic empowerment and social justice/ feminism. Co-produced by journalist Kiratiana Freelon and Founder of Black Women Disrupt, Zakiya Carr Johnson, every event will be simultaneously translated to facilitate meaningful exchange and promote sisterhood.
Click on the flier above to sign up for the event!
Marielle Franco was viciously assassinated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 14, 2018. Seven months later, in the aftermath of her death, dozens of Black women felt inspired and compelled to run for statewide political positions throughout Brazil. Many of them won. And there was a documentary film crew there capturing all of the magic. The resulting documentary film, Sementes: Mulheres Pretas no Poder (Seeds: Black Women in Power), was directed by Éthel Oliveira and Júlia Mariano and debuted in September on Youtube. Anielle Franco, an English teacher and grassroots organizer, founded Instituto Marielle Franco in 2019 to further her sister's legacy. In light of Brazil's upcoming November municipal elections, the organization has launched the Anti-racist platform to change Brazil's political system. These amazing Brazilian women will be joined by Dr. Nadia Brown, an Associate Professor at Purdue University and author of Sisters in the Statehouse: Black Women and Legislative Decision Making. The whole panel will be moderated by co-hosts journalist Kiratiana Freelon and Zakiya Carr Johnson, founder of Odara Solutions and Black Women Disrupt.
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE: http://bit.ly/SistersSpeakSementes
In response to Marielle Franco's assassination, the 2018 elections turned into the most significant political upheaval led by Black women that Brazil has ever seen, with candidacies in all states. To share this legacy with our community, all registered participants in the Sister-Speak series event - Sementes: Political Legacy of Marielle Franco - October 29th at 7 pm, will receive exclusive access to the documentary directed by panelists Éthel Oliveira and Júlia Mariano with subtitles in English. Join us for an informative and inspirational exchange between sisters on panel from Brazil and the United States. Check out the trailer below!
We have some amazing people on this panel! Check them out!
